"You know how quickly the desert landscape can change, right?"
Even if it's not called a war, it's at least a large-scale conflict.
But how long did it take for Rama and his Tanit tribe to go from making a name for themselves to already succeeding?
It was almost a crushing victory; without overwhelming force, it's impossible to win so quickly.
Candace is even more troubled than Dehya.
Dehya's Eremites can hide; they are desert people, but they also have a strong ally in the rainforest.
In other words, if things go south, they can hide with the Homayani family to get through tough times, or they can return to the desert at any time and accept another king's rule.
But Candace can't.
Aaru Village is right here. If she doesn't bow to the desert, she has to pledge loyalty to the rainforest.
When conflicts erupt, those who are weak and unsteady in their stance are usually the first to die.
The desert sent an invitation to her, which she declined. What comes next will be the warriors from the desert.
Candace has the right to refuse; it's her freedom.
But the desert has the freedom to reject her refusal.
"We can only take it one step at a time," Candace shook her head. "Aaru Village is not a significant place. The reason for the desert's interest is likely to complete their total control of the desert."
She knows her own situation well.
Aaru Village doesn't lack armed forces, but if Candace had to maintain the village's peace and order alone, she'd be overwhelmed.
But to Rama, who is about to become king of the desert, the difference between having the village's forces and not having them is negligible.
"I heard that messenger wants you to go deep into the desert," Dehya nudged Candace's shoulder, teasingly. "The story of a young hero meeting a desert beauty is quite intriguing, isn't it?"
She wasn't completely naive.
Given the size of Aaru Village, Dehya couldn't think of anything valuable there besides Candace.
"If you're worried, just say it directly," Candace nudged back. "No need to express concern with such words; it makes you seem a bit gloating."
People bring issues to the surface usually to find solutions through discussion.
But sometimes, even when issues are brought up, it's just to notify everyone to accept the situation; there's no solution.
It's evident that it can't be solved and must be accepted.
"There's no way around it; Aaru Village can't move."
"If the village can't move, neither can you."
Dehya frowned slightly. "So what can you do besides accept it?"
"Never thought that being a mercenary, wandering according to employers' wishes, would turn out to be an advantage."
In her years as a mercenary, she's seen too much.
She still maintains her original intentions, putting Mora into nurturing children from the desert, which sounds idealistic.
But people from a mercenary background aren't idealists.
They're busy living, usually being realists.
Desert tribes and the emerging kingdom are, broadly speaking, just larger Eremites.
They work for returns; what does Aaru Village have that counts as a return?
Crazy scholars? The entire village population?
These are actually quite good.
But in the short term, the only thing of real value is Candace herself.
Unfortunately, Candace's determination to protect Aaru Village is no secret; a little inquiry and her bottom line is revealed.
Once your cards are exposed, you're at others' mercy.
Candace knows this, but merely knowing is often useless.
"Then I'll accept it," the honey-skinned beauty stretched lazily, her curves nearly touching her friend's side. "What else can I do?"
"They specifically named me. If I run now, Aaru Village can't."
"Oh... I won't discuss love stories with you." Dehya scratched her head. "I used to like fairy tales about defying family for love, but now I know those things are fake."
"So, if you move quickly, does your son become a desert prince?"
"Get lost!" Candace playfully kicked without hesitation.
"Injustice!" Dehya dodged. "What else could he want you for? A hostage? Or hope you'll be a conquering general?"
"If you say that, I'll recommend you too," Candace said with a smile. "Didn't you always want to help those poor desert children get a proper education? You can't do it, but the desert king can."
"Hey, that's different. If he wants to beat the Akademiya or has already done so, he'll handle it without needing me."
Never thought a mercenary identity would be so convenient. But speaking of which, is Dad in trouble?
Dehya suddenly worried.
She hadn't thought about it much before.
Kusayla is an old hand in the desert, active for a long time, and backed by "The Legacy of the Divine King." Unless he seeks trouble, it's hard to go wrong.
But since leaving home in anger, she hadn't contacted him for a long time.
Given the drastic changes in the desert, could he encounter an unexpected problem?
Candace lazily closed her eyes, waiting for Uncle Ampu and the guardians to finish their conversation.
She didn't think much of Dehya's idea. Regarding education, looking at the desert's history, kings and nobles never intended to educate the common people.
As long as their descendants received enough education, the rest only needed to know farming and animal husbandry.
Education and hunting weren't related to ordinary people; they just needed to know how to carry things.
Most of Dehya's proteges were orphans, clearly those not needing education in the ancient desert kingdom.
Someone must handle farming and animal husbandry. Rainforest people use cheap desert folks, but what about the desert?
Better to win first.
Candace stayed silent.
At least after winning, they could let rainforest people handle these tasks, sharing some of the burdensome problems.
(End of the chapter)